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THE National Marine Fisheries Service is calling for reductions in fluke, sea bass and scup catches while the Recreational Fishing Alliance is calling for reforms to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Act.

For summer flounder, one of the biggest and most important recreational fisheries, NMFS has proposed a 15.77 million pound quota for 2008. If approved, the 2008 quota for summer flounder will be the lowest quota set since management began for this species over 14 years ago. While 15.77 million pounds is by no means a windfall for the industry, it appears to be the best quota we can hope for in 2008.

“The environmental industry is still clinging to the old cliche that fishermen are greedy and want to catch the last fish in the ocean. It is sad that their entire position and their rationale they are presenting to legislators is based on an outdated stereotype,” said RFA Executive Director Jim Donofrio. “Quite frankly, it is an embarrassment. I think it is time for them to take note of their dogma by taking a science-based approach to fisheries management and halting their environmental fraud campaign.”

The proposed 2008 summer flounder, black sea bass and scup are under public comment period until Dec. 3. It is important that NMFS receive comments from fishermen supporting the proposed 15.77 million pound summer flounder quota for 2008. The environmental industry has already indicated that it will pressure NMFS to implement the lowest possible quota. Please forward comments to Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.

Senators John Adler (D-6th) and Stephen Sweeney (D-3rd) introduced S 2945, a bill in the New Jersey State Senate to establish the Recreational Fishing Alliance license plate. Designed by marine artist Steve Goione, the RFA license plate will feature a life-like rendition of an Atlantic striped bass feeding in Jersey waters. Funds generated from RFA license plate sales will help finance marine fishery programs in the state and create a saltwater angler registry. The creation of a free saltwater angler registry would eliminate the need for a saltwater license which would amount to a tax on anglers.

“We envision the revenue generated from the sale of RFA license plates will help fill budgetary gaps within the NJ marine fisheries programs and more importantly, fully fund the implementation of a state level saltwater angler registry,” states Jim Donofrio. “A registry is a much more comprehensive method of gathering angler information required by Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Most saltwater licenses are littered with exemptions that create gaps in data collection.”